On Friday, October 11th, Pakistan cricket faced a double whammy, marking a disastrous day for the nation’s teams. In Multan, the men’s team suffered a humiliating defeat against England, losing by an innings and 47 runs, which invited widespread criticism. Thousands of kilometers away, in Dubai, the women’s team faced a similarly disheartening defeat in the T20 World Cup against the formidable Australian team. This 14th match of the tournament ended with Australia securing a resounding nine-wicket victory, further solidifying their path to the semi-finals with their third consecutive win.
Pakistan’s Struggles with the Bat
Batting first, Pakistan’s performance mirrored their previous outings as their batsmen faltered under pressure. Despite Australia’s potent bowling attack, the Pakistani lineup struggled to find their rhythm, particularly during the powerplay. In the initial six overs, Pakistan could only muster 23 runs while losing two critical wickets, a scenario that made it increasingly difficult for subsequent batsmen to score freely. The entire team collapsed for a mere 82 runs, being bowled out in 19.5 overs, showcasing a concerning inability to meet the demands of international cricket.
The absence of young captain Fatima Sana, who had returned home to mourn her father’s death, was a significant blow to the team. Sana had delivered impressive performances in the previous matches, and her leadership was sorely missed. As a result, Pakistan managed to hit only four boundaries throughout their innings, a stark contrast to the expectations of their fans. The standout performer with the bat was Aliya Riaz, who scored 26 runs, while Australia’s spin all-rounder, Ashley Gardner, made a mark with the ball, claiming four wickets for just 21 runs.
Australia’s Dominant Response
Chasing down an 82-run target proved to be a walk in the park for the reigning champions. Although Australia’s start was tempered, not a single boundary was scored in the first 11 balls of the innings, the pace soon picked up dramatically. Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney combined to hit four fours in the next six balls, equaling the total number of boundaries Pakistan had scored in their entire innings. Despite losing Mooney in the fifth over, Healy partnered with Alice Perry to guide the team to victory comfortably by the 11th over.
Healy, who captained the side, played a crucial innings, scoring 37 runs off just 23 balls before retiring hurt. Perry contributed solidly with 22 runs, demonstrating the depth and strength of the Australian batting lineup. This match not only highlighted the differences in form between the two sides but also underscored the challenges facing Pakistan women’s cricket as they strive to improve and compete at the highest levels.
